Monday, January 05, 2015

Like Punxsutawney Phil hiding from his shadow, I have
finally emerged from my shadow-cast dwelling to see another potentially
exciting Eagles playoff run fall by the wayside.

When we last checked in on our beloved Eagles and assess my
preseason prognosticating abilities, the Birds were flying high at 5-1 heading
into their bye week, but faced a tough Arizona matchup following their
league-mandated rest period.

Week 8: at Arizona
Cardinals

With two weeks to prepare for a Cardinals team that teetered
on good, but not great under Carson Palmer, the feeling was not strong for an
Eagles win. Despite leading Arizona for most of the game – and dealing with one
of the most one-sided officiating crews in any game this season -- a defensive
miscue saw the Eagles turn a win into a loss. It did nothing to quell the
questioning of starting quarterback Nick Foles, as the Eagles fell by a 24-20 score and sank to 5-2 on the season.

Week 9: at Houston
Texans

The Texans entered the game with the best and most
disruptive defensive player in the game, while the Eagles were reeling from
injuries on the offensive line (Todd Herremans) and the fallout from yet
another come-from-behind loss. Despite J.J. Watt’s dominance and the eventually
loss of Herremans and Foles to season-ending injuries, the Eagles would persevere
with a big road win behind Mark Sanchez to the tune of 31-21, and improved to
6-2 at the midway point.

Week 10: vs. Carolina
Panthers

After two straight on the road and the loss of Foles, the
Eagles returned home to the comfy confines of Lincoln Financial Field. Even
with former USC product Sanchez at the helm, this game felt that it would be a
blowout for the hosts. Carolina was a team in disarray that struggled to find
their identity at that point even in a weak NFC South. Sanchez, fortunately,
put together perhaps his best game as a professional in leading the Eagles to a
45-21 victory and a date with Green Bay.

Week 11: at Green Bay
Packers

The only thing that can be said about the Eagles
demoralizing 53-20 loss on the near-frozen tundra of Lambeau Field is this:
Aaron Rodgers is damn good.

Week 12: vs. Tennessee
Titans

In what could be perceived as a trap game against the
Titans, the Eagles failed to trip and destroyed the faltering Tennesseans to
the tune of 43-24. The Birds would head into their Thanksgiving matchup with
the rival Dallas Cowboys standing at 8-3 and playing for first place in the NFC
East.

Week 13: at Dallas
Cowboys

A Thanksgiving basting of the Cowboys down in Texas provided
the ultimate dessert for the Greenblatt family meal as well as for thousands of
others across the Delaware Valley. The Birds attacked early and often and rode the
fleet feet of Shady McCoy to the rousing 33-10 victory and first place in the
NFC East. Following this game, the Eagles had a near iron-clad 89 percent
chance of making the playoffs.

This is where our story turns sour…

Week 14: vs. Seattle
Seahawks

Before the season, something just felt right for an Eagles win.
Riding high off a victory over the rival Cowboys, the Eagles returned home to
face the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks and there appeared to be
nothing concrete standing in the way. Seattle, which struggled early in the season,
had recently gotten its swag back. The Eagles would strike first, but that
proved to be the only positive on the day. Pete Carroll’s squad imposed their
will offensively and defensively to break the Eagles spirits and send their
magical run into a tailspin, claiming a 24-14 decision and moving Chip Kelly’s
team to 8-4.

Week 15: vs. Dallas
Cowboys

A short opening kickoff by the Cowboys which was misplayed
by Eagles’ returner Josh Huff set the tone for a demoralizing Dallas victory on
our home turf. Despite being down 21 points and climbing back to take the lead
in the third quarter, the Green Machine simply ran out of gas in the effort and
fell 38-27 in a game that was not as close as the score indicated. Dallas now
led the NFC East and the Eagles needed to rely on other teams to help get back
in the playoff race.

Week 16: at
Washington Redskins

My prediction in the preseason was that the Eagles would
lose to the ‘Skins leading to a final-game showdown with the Giants for a
playoff berth the line. Sadly, only half of that prediction came true. An
ailing Cody Parkey would miss two field goals, Sanchez’ propensity for costly
turnovers returned and the Eagles fell to Washington, giving the Cowboys the
division and knocking the Eagles out of playoff contention.

Week 17: vs. New York
Giants

With nothing to play for but pride (and my correct overall prediction
on the season), the Eagles would end the season on a high note and topped the
division rival Giants 34-26. The Birds finished Year 2 of the Kelly Era at
10-6, but missed the playoffs for the third time in four seasons. We couldn’t
even have the satisfaction of sending Tom Coughlin into retirement, as Big Blue
decided to reward his 10-loss season with another year on the sidelines.

Philadelphia undoubtedly took a step back this season. In
the offseason, the focus will be to a) figure out who the quarterback of the
future will be while b) addressing the issues surrounding the secondary, which
routinely got shredded by opposing quarterbacks.

As we’ve already seen, Kelly has been given complete control
over the roster in a front-office reconfiguration late last week, so as they
say, “the ball is in his court,” and nothing short of the Philadelphia Eagles’
future success is at stake.